title: Social cognition in schizophrenia, Part 2: 12-month stability and prediction of functional outcome in first-episode patients.
abstract: This study evaluated the longitudinal stability and functional correlates of social cognition during the early course of schizophrenia. Fifty-five first-episode schizophrenia patients completed baseline and 12-month follow-up assessments of 3 key domains of social cognition (emotional processing, theory of mind, and social/relationship perception), as well as clinical ratings of real-world functioning and symptoms. Scores on all 3 social cognitive tests demonstrated good longitudinal stability with test-retest correlations exceeding .70. Higher baseline and 12-month social cognition scores were both robustly associated with significantly better work functioning, independent living, and social functioning at the 12-month follow-up assessment. Furthermore, cross-lagged panel analyses were consistent with a causal model in which baseline social cognition drove later functional outcome in the domain of work, above and beyond the contribution of symptoms. Social cognitive impairments are relatively stable, functionally relevant features of early schizophrenia. These results extend findings from a companion study, which showed stable impairments across patients in prodromal, first-episode, and chronic phases of illness on the same measures. Social cognitive impairments may serve as useful vulnerability indicators and early clinical intervention targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA. horan@ucla.edu
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Horan
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DeGroot
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiske
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hellemann
authors.forename: Kimmy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Junghee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sergi
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Subotnik
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sugar
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Keith H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Nuechterlein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004526:Efficiency; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D056345:Theory of Mind